ES2677326T3 - Method and apparatus for removing material from a line - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus (100, 300) for removing irregular material (2) from a line (1, 8, 9) during relative movement between the apparatus (100, 300) and the line (1, 8, 9), said apparatus ( 100, 300) which includes: -a line guide (200, 400) for positioning the line (1, 8, 9) on it and through which the line (1, 8, 9) can pass during said relative movement; - a material guide (210, 410) including a rotatable constriction member (214); - a withdrawal mechanism (101, 301) having at least one withdrawal element (102, 302) movable with respect to the line guide (200, 400) and the line (1, 8, 9) said element (102 , 302) of withdrawal that is configured during use to impinge on the irregular material (2), therefore at least partially withdrawing the material (2) from said line (1, 8, 9), and characterized in that the line ( 1, 8, 9) can pass through said material guide (210, 410), the material guide configured to vertically move the line and at least partially guide, constrict, compact and / or reorient said irregular material (2) fixed to the line (1, 8, 9) in engagement with said withdrawal mechanism (101, 301) during said relative movement.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Method and apparatus for removing material from a line Technical field

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for removing irregular material from a line.

Background of the technique

To aid clarity and to avoid prolixity, the present invention has been described herein with respect to pruning in grape vineyard operations for which the present invention has a particular application. However, it may be appreciated that the principles of the present invention may find use in other applications (for example, as described more fully below) and therefore the reference herein to pruning in vineyards should not Appreciate as limiting.

As part of the annual maintenance of the vines, it is necessary to remove “cords” or “gray hairs” from the old, weak, with a disease, not productive or, otherwise, not adequate. A "cord" or "cane" refers to a branch of the woody plant that will be pruned or allowed to sprout.

Individual plants can be pruned to have single or multiple cords / gray hair by various methods. The two most important pruning methods are known as "pruning pythons" and "pruning gray hairs", which are adapted to different types of terrain and grape varieties.

Python pruning can be used in any variety, but is ideally suited for grape varieties that are fruitful in the area of the yolk near the trunk of the vine. Any bud that grows near the trunk is removed and the vine pruned so that the vine consists of a series of “pythons” that grow from the cords that are wrapped around a fruiting wire, that is, a fixed wire to which they are fixed the laces. Therefore, the pruning of pythons results in a set of pythons that protrude from the cords at regular distances from the trunk. Pythons are cut each year to produce new shoots that will bear fruit.

The pruning of cane is described more fully below and is typically used in varieties where the buds closest to the trunk are not fruitful and whose clusters are small. The pruning of cane leaves a few gray hairs selected each year that extend from the trunk to act as the "fructffer leno". This selection ensures that all the nutrients and energy of the vine are taken by the selected gray hairs and therefore promotes a complete cultivation of the selected gray hairs over a shorter period of time. In contrast, a vine "with python pruning" extends nutrients and energy over the different pythons throughout the growing season.

Python pruning produces a relatively larger yield under consistent growth conditions throughout the season but may result in reduced yield or quality where conditions are variable or the grape variety is generally of low yield. For example, frosts can result in poor growth in the pythons closest to the trunk while the summer seqrna can result in poor growth in the outer pythons later in the season. In contrast, cane pruning ensures that the mayonnaise of the shoots grows simultaneously with all the nutrients and energy being available for the shoots throughout the season. Therefore, although python pruning can be used in many climates, the highly variable weather conditions in New Zealand and many other regions require cane pruning to ensure adequate harvest.

The “pruning of cane” or “pruning of cord” of unwanted gray hairs of vines is an intense labor operation and can be divided into four different tasks as follows:

"Cord Selection"

A first stage of the pruning of cane includes a “previous cut” to select and cut the unwanted gray hairs of the head of the vine leaving a number of gray hairs selected with the attributes of:

- originate in an area close to the head or crown of the vine;

- full length and not delayed in growth;

- not damaged and disease free;

- golden brown;

- which has a sufficient number of healthy yolks;

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- thick enough, that is thicker or thicker than a human finger.

The cane selection stage is done manually by a qualified worker since the selection of appropriate gray hair can have a high impact on the short and long term productivity of a mature vine.

"Cutting of unwanted cane"

Unwanted gray hairs are then cut from the fruiting wire around which they are wound during the previous season. This cut makes it easier to manually “remove” the cut gray hair. This additional cutting process is relatively unqualified compared to the cane selection and is usually performed in conjunction with the cane selection.

"Withdrawal"

Unwanted gray hairs constitute approximately 90% of the total growth on a mature vine and are often entangled between foliage, wires or other gray hair, thus preventing them from falling away from the vine once they have been cut. These unwanted gray hairs must be manually removed in a process referred to as "withdrawal." Withdrawal usually requires a person to grab unwanted gray hair and tear them from the vine and wires in a downward motion. Withdrawal can be physically demanding and time consuming. On the other hand, withdrawal can also be dangerous when gray hairs are torn from the vine as they can hit the person in the face and eyes.

"Cutting and packaging"

Once the withdrawal is complete the remaining gray hairs are cut to a length and shape and rolled into the fruiting wire ready for the next growing season. These processes are also done manually and while cutting is generally an unskilled task, packaging requires a skilled workforce.

Therefore, grapevine pruning is an intensive labor process that has several sub-processes that require skilled workers.

Python pruning is a faster and more qualified hand pruning technique than cane pruning since there is no selection stage and the pythons are simply pruned to the required length. The relative simplicity of python pruning means that cutting machines can be used to move along the vine and cut the pythons to a consistent level. On the contrary, the pruning of cane leaves unwanted gray hairs wrapped around the fruiting wire and therefore the cutting techniques of the python pruning machines can cut the fruiting wire and / or can not properly remove the gray hair .

Although several machines have been developed to alleviate the heavy manual requirement of the pruning of python of the vines, there has been a small development in the machines for the pruning of cane given the requirement of high qualification.

An attempt to reduce at least some of the workforce components of cane pruning has been contemplated by Water Langlois1 and requires the location of two rotating vehicle tires in a confrontational relationship on each side of the row of vines. The tires are located above the wires in such a way that the tires grab the upper portions of the unwanted gray hair and pull them from the wires. The tires are fixed to the boom of a tractor or similar that can move along the rows of Vines.

1 Perfect art of the retreat, The Dominion Post (NZ) August 16, 2007.

In addition to the Langlois machine does not offer a mechanical alternative to manual gray hair removal, there are several problems that may arise during operation. For example:

- tires can be lifted above each post along the Vines row thus reducing speed and efficiency;

- the rotating tires tear the gray hairs from the wire with a substantial force, therefore potentially damaging any uncut cane or pulling the fruiting wire from the posts;

- the removed gray hairs are ejected upwards from the tire at a substantial speed and they can land on the tractor, personnel, other vines or otherwise be inconvenient and unsightly;

- Gray hair is required to extend over the wire to be removed effectively, which means that a "previous pruning" or "summer" pruning must be reduced.

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The prior art wire removal machines are also inadequate since they cannot be used to remove cut gray hairs from Vines, other organic material or any inherently irregular material that grows in the line. It is inherently difficult to ensure that all the material of the line is removed since the prior art wire removal machines are based on the fact that the material and the line are fixed in positions and dimensions or alternatively is based on the fact that the blades of the wire removal move to accommodate any irregularity.

Therefore, it will be advantageous to provide an improved method and apparatus for removing unwanted gray hair from the fruiting wire.

It is an object of the present invention to address the above problems or at least provide the public with a useful option.

It is recognized that the term "comprises" may, under different jurisdictions, be attributed to both an exclusive and a non-exclusive meaning. For the purposes of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, the term "comprises" shall have an inclusive meaning, that is, it shall be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components referred to directly. , but to other components or elements not specified. This reasoning will also be used when the term “included” or “comprising” is used in relation to one or more stages in a method or process.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description that is given by way of example only.

Disclosure of the invention

To help and avoid prolixity, the present invention will be described in this document with respect to an unwanted irregular material in the form of "cords" (hereinafter "gray") of a vine of a wire for which it has a particular application the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the principles of the present invention may find use in many applications that require the removal of an irregular material from a line and therefore the reference herein to the removal of gray hair from a line should not be appreciated as limitative.

By way of example only, the present invention may also have application in:

- other horticulture applications where foliage or other plant material is required to be removed from a wire line or similar;

- aquaculture and / or marine applications where algae, molluscs and other organisms need to be removed from cables, chains, a rope or the like;

- removal of unwanted foliage from energy wires, holding ropes, cables or the like.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for removing irregular material from a line during a relative movement between the device and the line, said apparatus which includes:

- a line line to place the line therein and through which the line can pass during said relative movement;

- a line of material that includes a rotating constriction member;

- a withdrawal mechanism that has at least one mobile removal element with respect to the line and line, said removal element that is configured during use to influence the irregular material, therefore at least partially removing the material of said line, and

characterized in that the line can pass through said material line, the material line configured to move the line vertically and at least partially guide, build, compact and / or reorient said irregular material attached to the line in engagement with said withdrawal mechanism during said relative movement.

As used herein and through the specification, the term "withdrawal" refers to a process of removing material from an object (for example, removing cut Vines from wires) and should not be seen as limiting. "Withdrawal" may include any process, method or means for removing material from an object and by way of example it may include cutting, crushing, beating, rubbing, throwing, sawing, tearing, slicing or any other withdrawal process

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It should also be appreciated that in this document the reference to the term "withdrawal" should be understood as including a partial and / or complete withdrawal of some or all of the material of an object.

It should be understood that herein the reference to a "line" refers to any length of material and by way of example includes a wire, a rope, a rope, a cable, chains, vines or the like.

As used herein, the term "organic" should be understood as referring to any material belonging to, or derived from living organisms and that includes dead plants or animals.

As used herein, the term "irregular material" includes material of thickness, length, composition, orientation and / or separation of the variable line.

As used herein, the term "gma" refers to any member, mechanism, apparatus or system capable of guiding the line through it.

As used herein, the term "channel" refers to any member (s) that has a grooved or grooved portion, whether continuous or not, that extends between the distal ends opened through which it can retain and guide the line during the relative movement of the line and the channel.

Preferably, the gma de lmea includes a channel and more preferably a channel with an elongated base and two side walls extending between open distal ends, for example, a "U" shaped cross section. In alternative embodiments, the channel may have a "V" shaped cross section or have an arcuate base to support the line.

Preferably, the channel is configured in such a way that during use the line can pass through the channel between distal channel ends and be supported by the base between the two side walls.

Preferably, a leading end of the channel forms a mouth, the mouth that has one or more baffles adapted to deflect material from the line that passes through said mouth, thereby aiding in the removal of the material from the line. The baffles can be formed as sides of the mouth or can be provided separated from the channel.

Cut gray hair, dust and other debris can accumulate in the canal during prolonged use as the debris enters the mouth and moves slowly towards the “back” of the canal during continued use. This accumulation can promote friction and wear on the line that travels through the channel and in extreme cases causes blockages and blockage of the line in the channel. To reduce said accumulations, a portion of the channel is preferably narrowed towards one end. Therefore, as the detritus passes into the canal at the narrowed end of the narrowed portion, it will become progressively less tight through the walls of the canal to the wider end and therefore be more easily expelled from the canal.

Preferably, the channel width is between one and two times the diameter or thickness of the line to be removed. The line can therefore be retained in the channel as long as it is not hindered by any constriction of the channel.

Preferably, the channel width is between 1.5 to 4 times the diameter or the thickness of the line to be removed.

In a further embodiment, the channel can have an adjustable width and / or height so that an operator can adapt the size of the channel to the size of the line being removed.

In one embodiment, the channel may include any or more of, rotating wheels, rollers, dampers, lubrication mechanisms or the like to reduce the friction arranged in the line as it travels through it.

Because the line and the channel can be made relatively thin, it can be difficult to properly position the channel line without manual intervention. For example, the line can be of a 4 mm high tensile wire and the channel of a slightly larger width. Therefore, where the device is attached to the boom of a transport, the operator may find it difficult to maneuver the gma below the line to locate it in the channel.

The line gma therefore preferably includes one or more location members extending in up to the channel and configured to guide the line that affects said location member in the channel. Therefore, as the line is raised by the apparatus, the line pull will be directed downwards against the location member, therefore the line will be directed downwards in the channel by means of the location member.

Preferably, two location members are provided, one extending on each side of the channel to form a cross-sectional configuration in substantially "V" or "U" shape with the channel at the apex of the

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"V" or "U". Therefore, any line that affects the inner sides of the arms of members of location in "V" or "U" will be guided into the channel.

Preferably, the location member (s) are inclined during use from the channel between the vertical and the horizontal.

Preferably, at least two withdrawal elements are provided, the line passing between the withdrawal elements during said relative movement.

Preferably, the, or each, withdrawal element is rotatable about an axis of rotation that extends substantially orthogonal to the line during said relative movement.

Preferably, a plurality of said withdrawal elements is arranged in a separate relationship along axes parallel to the axis of rotation.

Preferably, the or each withdrawal element is fixed to a bushing, shaft, driven shaft or similar such that, the, or each withdrawal element is rotary with respect to the crane.

Preferably, the rotating bushing is driven by a hydraulic motor. It will be appreciated that the hydraulic motor may be driven by the PTO or the hydraulic circuit of a transport or alternatively a separate generator may be provided. It will be appreciated however that other types of motor or driving means can be used to drive the withdrawal elements and the reference to a hydraulic motor herein is by way of example only.

Preferably, a plurality of said removal elements is fixed around a circumference of the bushing.

Preferably, the withdrawal elements of the withdrawal mechanism include one or more blades. The blades are preferably located adjacent to the grid and are configured, during use, to cut and / or dislodge the material fixed to the line.

In an alternative embodiment, the removal elements may include one or more degreasers, rollers, balls, saws, spikes, shredders, crushing rollers, hedge trimmers or any other means for cutting or removing material from the line.

In pruning vines, the unwanted vine material is generally crushed and used as fertilizer or discarded as garbage. The unwanted material is therefore typically removed from the line by hand and located in the avenues adjacent to the row of vines. A "chipper" opens parenthesis apparatus used to cut organic material into pieces) or pruner is then led to the scrap material to crush it into smaller pieces. Therefore, by providing cutting blades for material removal, the present invention can not only remove the material from the vicinity of the line, but also cut the material into small pieces for disposal or recycling, thus avoiding the need of a separate chipping or shredding apparatus.

Preferably, the line wire and the removal mechanism are located substantially within at least two side walls of a housing. Said housing can help ensure that all material is guided through the apparatus and that it is not ejected sideways.

Since the material is irregular, something can extend outside the boundary of the carcass and be removed when it hits the sides of the carcass or otherwise falls before reaching the withdrawal mechanism. Any material that does not reach the removal mechanism therefore remains uncut and falls to the ground where it can be unsightly or interfere with the maintenance of the vine.

Therefore, the material line helps to prevent such "premature" withdrawal since the material is constricted as it passes through it. This constriction ensures that materials are built and compacted in an area within the confines of the withdrawal mechanism. The material line also ensures that the material, regardless of size, is guided and re-oriented in the withdrawal mechanism to be removed and / or cut.

The material line is preferably located in front of the line line with respect to the direction of the line movement relative to said line line and is preferably located substantially "in line" with the line pattern of such that the material that enters the material line directed towards the line wire and the removal mechanism.

Preferably, the material line includes a constriction opening configured to constrict the material as it passes through the material line.

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Preferably, the material range includes a channel and a constriction member, movable between them ^ between:

a) a closed position, in which the constriction member at least partially covers the gma channel of material of said constriction opening, and

b) an open position in which the line may be located in the gma channel of material.

The constriction member is rotary, for example, the constriction member may be a rotating wheel, a roller or the like.

Preferably, the material gma channel is rotary.

Preferably, the constriction member and / or the material gamma channel are rotatable in a direction such that the portions thereof that define the constriction opening have a tangential velocity vector substantially directed towards the withdrawal mechanism. For example, the material gamma channel and the constriction member may be counter-rotating annular members that rotate in a common plane with the line passing between the annular members in the same plane and in a direction parallel to the tangential velocity of the circumferential portions are opposite of the annular members that are closest to each other. Therefore, when the material passes through the constriction opening, the rotating channel of rotating material and / or the constricting member can make contact with the material and act as a cam to push the material towards the withdrawal mechanism in a linear fashion, thus constrining and grouping the material together towards the withdrawal mechanism and reducing the possibility of premature removal of the line.

Preferably, at least a portion of the circumference of the constriction member includes protrusions, (for example, tips) to aid in the grip of the material in the line and guide the material towards the removal mechanism.

Preferably, the constriction member has a width substantially corresponding to the width of the material gamma channel so that the constriction member can "fit" into the material gamut channel and define the constriction opening.

The constriction opening is therefore formed between the constriction member and the gma channel of material, the line and the material therein being guided through this opening. This constriction opening ensures that any material, for example, gray hair, is compacted and conducted to a space confined to the withdrawal mechanism, therefore ensuring a more effective removal as well as a confinement of the material withdrawn for distribution.

Preferably, the gma channel of materials substantially aledano to the walls of the housing such that any material within the gma channel of materials guided in engagement with the removal mechanism.

Preferably, the gma channel of material is formed of an annular groove at least partially circumscribing an outer surface of an annular member such as an annular bushing, a wheel, a reel or the like.

Preferably, the material gma channel includes one or more location members configured with two inclined members joined at an intersection coinciding with said line gma. Such location members can therefore help align the line with the line range and minimize lateral movement of the line in the material range. Said lateral movement is typically undesirable since it can increase friction contact and promote wear on the line.

It will be appreciated that the material in the line when it passes through the line and the removal mechanism can be ejected upwards, potentially falling into transport, the operator or the vines. The apparatus therefore preferably includes a mobile cover between:

a) a closed position, to cover at least partially the withdrawal mechanism, and / or the gma of lmea, and

b) an open position, in which the withdrawal mechanism is substantially uncovered.

The line can therefore be located in the line when the cover is in the open position and the cover is then closed during operation to prevent the cut gray hair from being ejected upwards outside the housing.

It will also be appreciated that the material in the line can be pushed out when it is moved over the gma channel of material and therefore may not be effectively guided in the withdrawal mechanism. Therefore, in one embodiment, the cover is preferably configured in the closed position to also cover the range of material.

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The cover, in combination with the material line, can build and therefore compact and "drive" the material towards the removal mechanism.

Preferably, at least one roller or the like is provided in a position coinciding with the line and rotary wheel about an axis extending substantially transverse to the line.

Preferably, a pair of said rollers is provided, during use, the line being held between them.

Preferably, the roller is substantially elastic, for example, made of rubber, nylon, plastic or the like.

Said roller is capable of inhibiting the transverse movement of the line, for example, due to the traction of the lateral line, and therefore reducing the possibility of damage to the line moving transversely against the end of the line. The roller can also act as an extension of the wire line and the material line, for example, the line extends from the material line, through the line line and then the roller, the line being guided respectively For each component.

Preferably, a discharge channel is provided to direct the material removed from the wire line and / or the removal mechanism. The discharge channel can be part of the housing as mentioned above or it can be provided as a separate member that can be located below, or at the rear of the crane and the withdrawal mechanism to receive the removed material.

As used herein, the term "discharge channel" refers to any discharge channel, funnel, passage, tree, or the like that is capable of transporting material removed from the crane and the removal mechanism.

It should be appreciated that the download channel can be nidged or flexible as required. As an example, in one embodiment the discharge channel can be formed as an elongated flexible tube that can be repositioned to alter the direction of the cut material.

Preferably, the line is fixed to any end, the device being movable along the line to remove material therefrom. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus may be held in position and it moves through it.

Preferably, the apparatus is mounted on a transport such as a tractor, a combine, a truck, a forklift, or the like to provide means for transporting the apparatus along said line.

A method of removing organic material from a line that extends between two end brackets and that is removable fixed to one or more intermediate brackets, said method that uses an apparatus substantially like that described herein above and that includes the steps of:

- disassemble the line of at least one of said intermediate supports and laterally move the line away from it;

- placing said line on the line and the material line; Y

- move the line wire, the material line and the withdrawal mechanism along the line past the, or each, intermediate support to remove the organic material from it.

Preferably, the line is reattached to the line retention devices once the line material has been removed at least partially.

Plants produce buds that generally grow up or out of the plant stem or from a new plant material. In the operations of grape growth, the yolks tend to grow at a point near the end of the gray hair and form most of the fruiting potential for the growth of the following seasons. These buds can be very vulnerable to damage and therefore as in the method mentioned above, the line preferably moves away from the supports at least partially in a direction substantially similar to the general direction of the predominant plant growth so minimize the risk of hitting and removing the yolks with the line as it separates.

It will be appreciated that in the majority of applications the growth of the plant will generally be upwards and laterally (with respect to the row) outwards away from the cane. In the method mentioned above, the line preferably moves upwardly and laterally outward in the same direction.

The method mentioned above reduces the potential damage of the plants by moving the line up and out since, at least in the grape growing operations, the buds are located in their mayona in the

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leeward (with respect to the direction of growth) of the scars of the old leaves that can act as neutral shields for the yolks as the line moves. If the line moves down and out, the line may catch and break or damage the retained buds and gray hair.

Preferably, the organic material includes gray hairs cut from a vine.

Preferably, the line moves to a position above, or each intermediate support and more preferably moves vertically above and laterally to or to each intermediate support.

Preferably, the line is a wire that extends between two end supports provided in the form of fence posts, trellis or the like having one or more intermediate posts, for example as is common in vineyards.

Preferably, the or each intermediate support includes one or more line retention devices capable of detachably retaining the line.

It will be appreciated that numerous known apparatuses and methods are available for detachably leaving a line to a support and by way of example may include line retention devices such as bent nails, sturdy snap clips, clips with detachable locking pins or any other means for detachably fixing a line to a support.

It will be appreciated that by selectively and / or successively disassembling the line as the line moves along the length of the line, the line needs to be disassembled simultaneously from all intermediate supports before removal.

The techniques of the prior art of removal of plant material from the line require manual labor, or alternatively a mobile machinery that must be stopped and started to move around the intermediate posts. On the other hand, any plant material to be retained may suffer damage to the prior art removal machines that move too close to the remaining material when they do the removal. In contrast, the method of the present invention, as described herein above, can alleviate the problems by moving the line away from the posts and the plant material retained before removal, thereby allowing the It is necessary to move continuously along the length of the line while removing cut gray hair and minimizing the risk of damage to retained gray hair.

Typical grape growth operations that use cane pruning technique (as mentioned in the “prior art” section) use fixed “fruiting” wires to which gray hairs are fixed as well as multiple wires of “elevation”. The gray hair growth is guided by the “elevation” wires that are periodically elevated throughout the growing season to shape the gray hair to help harvest, maintain and expose to sunlight. The lifting wires are necessarily detachably attached to the posts through clips with snap-fit fastener portions to allow release for subsequent lifts. However, because there is no requirement for disassembly, the fruiting wire is typically fixed to the posts through staples or the like to ensure stability.

Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the above method includes the step of detachably fixing a "fruiting wire" to one or more of the intermediate supports before separation and removal.

Preferably, both the fruiting and lifting wires are simultaneously removed together.

It will be appreciated that many of the uncut gray hairs that are to be retained can be fixed to the line even after the unwanted gray hairs are cut. This uncut material must therefore be preferably removed from the line before removal.

The apparatus and method of the present invention can also be applied by holding the stationary apparatus while the line is retracted through the crane, for example, in applications such as removal of mussels, molluscs or other organic marine material from lines submerged in water where It may not be practical to move the device along the line. The present invention can therefore be easily adapted to suit other withdrawal applications.

The present invention can therefore provide an apparatus and a method that can provide significant advantages over the prior art, including a potentially more efficient and faster method of removing unwanted material from a line that reduces labor requirements by obviating the need to manually remove such material.

The present invention can also provide an apparatus capable of not only removing material from the line but also cutting or chopping the material into smaller pieces.

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In addition, the present invention can provide a method and an apparatus for removing cut gray hairs from a pruned vine of a wire, therefore reducing the labor requirement in cane pruning operations.

Brief description of the drawings

Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the upper front part of an apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows an enlarged isometric view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 with the cover removed;

Figure 3 shows a front elevation of the apparatus of Figures 1-4 with the cover removed;

Figure 4 shows a view of the upper rear part of the apparatus of Figures 1-3;

Figure 5 shows a top rear isometric view of the apparatus of Figures 1-4;

Figure 6 shows a longitudinal sectioned side view of the apparatus of Figures 1-5;

Figure 7 shows a cross section of the apparatus of Figure 6 through A-A;

Figure 8a shows a front elevation of the apparatus of Figures 1-7 with the cover in an open position;

Figure 8b shows an apparatus of Figure 8b with the cover in a closed position;

Figure 9 shows a side elevation of the apparatus of Figures 1-8 during use by removing "gray hair" from vines cut from a wire;

Figure 10 shows a row of vines in a typical cane pruning arrangement;

Figure 11 shows a row of vines of Figure 10 and a method of removing irregular material from the wires according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 12 shows a front isometric view of an apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment;

Figure 13 shows an enlarged side elevation of the apparatus of Figure 12 in operation with a partial sectional view showing a withdrawal mechanism;

Figure 14 shows a side view in longitudinal section of the apparatus of Figures 12 and 13;

Figure 15 shows a rear isometric view of an apparatus of Figure 12-14;

Figure 16 shows a front elevation of the apparatus of Figures 12-14 with the cover in the open position;

Figure 17 shows a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 12-15 with the cover in the open position;

Figures 18a-c show respectively elevations in lateral and frontal plan of the apparatus of the wire line according to a preferred embodiment; Y

Figure 19 shows a representation of an example line retention click used in preferred embodiments.

Better ways of carrying out the invention

Figures 1-11 show an apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention generally indicated by arrow 100. Figures 12-16 show an apparatus 300 according to a second preferred embodiment. The two embodiments 100, 300 are generally similar and therefore similar parts are similarly referred to.

The apparatus (100) is for removing irregular material from a line. In the embodiments shown in the figures, the material includes gray hair (2) of cut grapes while the line is provided as a wire (1, 8, 9) to which the vines 7 are fixed as they grow. It should be noted that the reference herein to the removal of gray hairs from a vine is by way of example only and should not be considered as limiting.

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As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the wires (8, 9) are fixed at both ends to posts (4) ends, only one is shown in Figure 11), and detachably fixed through clips (10) to one or more intermediate posts (3) located between the posts (4) ends. The vines (7) are planted between the posts (3) and are fixed to a fruiting wire (9). During the growing season, gray hair (2) is guided upwards by means of lifting wires (8). The gray hair (2) is typically attached to the wires (8, 9) with clips, vine seals or the like, such as the click (10) shown in Figure 19. The vines (7) also grow and wind themselves. around the wires (8, 9).

After the growing season, the vines (7) must be pruned to remove all the material from a few selected gray hairs that have the desired attributes, for example, that originate from an area close to the head or crown of the vine, which are not retarded in growth or disease and have a sufficient number of healthy yolks. These gray hair (2) pruned are still fixed and wrapped around the wires (8, 9) and must be removed to avoid disease and make room for new growth in the following season. In the prior art, said gray hairs were "withdrawn" manually with a great labor expense.

The present invention aims to eliminate this requirement of manual removal using a method and apparatus as described below.

The apparatus (100) of the first embodiment will now be described with respect to Figures 1-11.

During use, the apparatus (100) is mounted on a frame (5) that can be mounted to a "boom" of a tractor, combine or other transport (not shown). The tractor is therefore capable of transporting the apparatus (100) with respect to the wire (1) and along the row of vines (7). The tractor boom has an adjustable height that therefore allows the apparatus (100) to be raised and lowered as required. The frame (5) is fixed through a standardized fixing mechanism (12) known as a "Euro-Hitch".

The apparatus (100) has a line wire (200) in which the wire (1) is located and through which the wire (1) will pass during the relative movement of the apparatus (100) and the wire (1).

A withdrawal mechanism (101) is provided adjacent to the line grille (200) and has withdrawal elements provided in the form of six rotating blades (102). The wire (1) passes through the wire line between the blades (102) so that any material attached to the wire (1) is cut by the blades (102) and / or dislodged as the wire (1) it passes through the grna (200) of lmea. The wire (1) is therefore protected from the rotating blades (102) by means of the walls (203) of the wire rail (200).

The line rail (200) includes a channel (201) with an elongate base (202) and two lateral walls (203) extending between open distal ends (204a, b) in a "U" shaped cross section. The wire (1) is supported by the base (202) and confined between the two side walls (203) as it passes through the channel (201). The front end (204a) of the channel forms a mouth. The mouth (204a) has two deflection edges (205) adapted to deflect material from the wire (1) that passes through it, therefore aiding in the removal of the gray hair (2) from the wire (1) and reducing the risk of gray hair (2) clogging the mouth (204a) of the canal. The channel walls (203) increase in height from the channel base (202) towards the rear end (204b), that is, the "depth" of the channel (201) increases towards the rear end (204b). These walls (203) narrowed therefore deflect and remove any wire (2) from the wire (1) as it passes through the line wire (200).

The crane line (200) also has two location members (206) that extend to the channel (201) to form a substantially "V" shaped cross-sectional configuration, with the channel (201) at the vertex of the "V". During operation, the traction of the wire is generally down towards the base (202) and with a partial lateral traction component because the cable (1) is being stretched laterally against the supports (3). The location members (206) therefore assist in guiding the wire (1) in the channel (201) when the wire (1) impacts a location member (206). The location members (206) therefore allow an operator to locate the wire (1) inside the channel (201) by maneuvering the apparatus (100) below the wire (1) and then lifting to push the members (206) of location against the wire (1) to guide it in the channel (201). The location members (206) therefore allow the wire (1) to be located in the channel successfully without requiring extreme precision.

The blades (102) of the withdrawal mechanism (101) are fixed to a rotating bushing (106) driven by a hydraulic motor (111) to rotate the blades (102) with respect to the wire (1) in parallel planes with the channel ( 201) and the wire (1). The cutting blades (102) can therefore cut the gray hair (2) adjacent to the wire (1) into smaller particles for disposal or recycling, thereby alleviating the requirement of a separate chipping apparatus.

The hydraulic motor (111) is driven from a hydraulic "power pack" (not shown) of known type. This "power pack" is driven by the power take-off (PTO) of the tractor that transports and drives the device (100). Using said PTO-powered power pack ensures that the device (100) does not need

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take power from the tractor's integral hydraulic circuit, which could, for example, be otherwise required for boom elevation or the operation of other components. An additional advantage of using a hydraulic power pack operated by PTO is to increase compatibility with several tractors and other transports, that is, the apparatus (100) can be mounted and driven by any tractor, combine or transport with a PTO, instead to adjust only to transports with integral hydraulic circuit.

The apparatus (100) has a housing (103) with two side walls (103a) on each side of the withdrawal mechanism (101). The housing (103) has a "rear" end with a cut (104) in "V" through which the wire (1) passes after crossing the line wire (200). The housing (103) has a discharge channel (107) located below the line rail (200) and a withdrawal mechanism (101) to drive the material removed and cut in a predetermined direction as indicated by the arrow 6. The preferred predetermined direction is generally against the base of the vines (7) although it will be appreciated that the discharge channel (107) can be directed in any desired direction, for example, in a container.

The apparatus (100) also has a wire (210) of material that is located in front (during use) of the line wire (200). The material line constrinates, compacts and / or redirects the gray hair (2) attached to the wire (1) in engagement with the blades (102) of the withdrawal mechanism (101). The material line (113) is formed from a channel (211) of ring material ring and a constriction member provided in the form of a rotating wheel (214). The wheel (214) is movable in the channel (211) of material grinding (see Figure 8b, 9 and 10) to create an entrance opening (218) in the housing (103). The wheel (214) has a width that coincides with the internal width of the channel (211) of material a, although smaller enough so that the relative movement between the wheel (214) and the channel (211) of material is not substantially impeded.

The wheel (214) can also be moved to an "open" position (see Figures 1, 3, 4, 6 and 8a) to allow the wire (1) to be located / removed in / from the channel (211) material.

The channel (211) of material loop is connected by two annular flanges (212) that are adjacent to the housing (103) so that any of the gray hair (2) that passes through the material grid (210) between the channel (211) of material grinding and the wheel (214) are guided in engagement with the blades (102).

The channel (113) of material and wheel crane (214) are both counter-rotating and are driven respectively by hydraulic motors (112, 113) driven by the same power pack as bushing motor (111). The channel (211) of rotating material and the wheel (214) thus act to grab the gray hair (2) and guide them through the opening (218) of contrition to form a compacted set of gray hairs (2) that they are then ejected towards the withdrawal mechanism (101). The line (200) of material also redirects the gray hair (2) in a direction generally transverse to the blades (102). Without such a line of material (210), the irregularly arranged gray hair (2) is possibly removed prematurely by the edges of the walls (103a) of the housing or may not be cut effectively.

The material line (210) has a number of location members (213) in the form of "V" configured with the vertex of the "V" in line with the channel (201) of the line crane (200). Said location members (213) align the wire (1) with the line wire (200) and minimize the lateral movement of the wire (1) along the material wire (210). Said lateral movement is undesirable since it can increase friction contact and promote wear of the wire (1) as it enters the channel mouth (204a).

A mobile cover (108) is fixed to the wheel (214) and is mounted in the housing (103) through two pivotal mounting connections (110). The cover (108) is movable in response to the actuation of two hydraulic cylinders (109) that push the cover (108) around pivot frames (110) between a closed position (see Figure 8b) to cover the crane (200 ) of the line and the removal mechanism (101), and an open position (see Figure 8a) in which the wire (1) can be placed in the line wire (200) and the channel (211) material. The cover (108) therefore prevents cut gray hairs from being ejected upwards outside the housing (103).

The hydraulic cylinders (109) are also configured to increase the angle of the discharge channel (107) (with respect to the horizontal) when the cover (108) is closed. This inclination ensures that the cut gray hairs are ejected against the base of the vines (7).

In operation, the gray hair (2) can be grouped and twisted as they enter the channel (211) of material grinding and can potentially block the opening (218) or jam the wire (1). To alleviate this problem, a force transducer (not shown) is provided between the wheel (214) and the cover (108) to monitor the relative forces on the wheel (214) as the gray hair (2) passes through the grna (210) of material. Where the forces detected by the translator exceed an established threshold, a control circuit is configured to automatically operate the hydraulic cylinders (109) to increase the separation between the wheel (214) and the channel (211) of material grinding, that is, increasing the opening (218) to allow gray hair 2 to pass through the withdrawal mechanism (101).

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The second preferred embodiment will be described below with respect to Figures 12-18.

The apparatus (300) of the second preferred embodiment is generally similar to the apparatus (100) with predominantly similar components and therefore will be described only with respect to the differences with respect to the first embodiment.

The apparatus (300) has a gma (400) of lmea, a withdrawal mechanism (301) and a gma (410) of material generally similar to the gma (200) of lmea, the withdrawal mechanism (101) and the gma (210) of apparatus material (100).

An enlarged view of the line gma (400) of the second preferred mode (300) of embodiment is shown in Figure 18 and has a channel (401) formed from a base (402) and two side walls (403). A mouth (404a) has two deflection edges (405) to aid in the removal of gray hair (2) from the wire (1). The base (402) extends to a projection (408) at a greater distance than the base (202) of the channel (201) of the apparatus (100) to improve the guiding ability by removing any abrupt wall end to the channel (401) ).

Two location members (406) are inclined with respect to the channel walls (403) and help guide the wire (1) down in the channel (401). The location members (406) also extend to "wings" (407) that only gman the wire (10 in the channel (401) but also help prevent gray hair from curling around the members (406) of location as it could happen with the members (206) of location of the first mode of realization.

The width of the channel (401) is also narrowed backwards from a narrow mouth (404a) to a slightly wider rear end (404b).

During the use of the apparatus (100) of the first embodiment described above, the wire (1) was found to occasionally push the accumulated debris back into the mouth (204a) and potentially block the channel (201). The narrowed channel (401) ensures that the possibility of such accumulation is minimal and that any debris in the mouth (404a) when pushed back is released to move through the progressively wider rear channel portion and therefore will be easily ejected from the rear end (404b).

The withdrawal mechanism (301) does not differ from the first embodiment and has blades (302) within walls (303a) of a housing (303) as in the first embodiment.

As in the first embodiment, the gma (410) of material has a wheel (414) that fits into a channel (411) of gma of material and forms an entrance opening (418) to the mechanism (301) of GMA withdrawal

(400) of lmea. The tabs (412) constrict and confine the gray hair (2) into the channel (411) as the wire passes through them.

The gma (400) of material of the second preferred embodiment differs from the gma (200) of material as a ring (415) of the wheel (414) and the channel location members (413) each has respectively outgoing (416, 417). These projections (416, 417) help grab and guide gray hair later in the pruning season when they can become sharper and often fail to be grabbed by a comparable "soft" wheel as in the wheel (214). These (older) gray hairs could otherwise be pushed along the wire (1) by means of the wheel (414) and the channel (411) of material gam and fail to be cut or removed.

The apparatus (300) also has a pair of nylon or synthetic rollers (305) that are located at the rear of the housing (303) to prevent the wire (1) from bending, worn or otherwise damaged as a result of leaving the channel end (404b) at an angle of deviation from the longitudinal axis of the channel

(401). The upper roller (305a) is fixed to the cover (308) while the roller (305b) is fixed to the rear of the housing (303). The elasticity of the rollers (305) firmly secures the wire (1) to the rear of the apparatus (300) without wear or otherwise damaging the wire (1) when it passes through them.

Figure 13 shows a side elevation in partial section of the apparatus (300) with the withdrawal mechanism (301) working to cut and remove the gray hair (2) from the wire (1) as it passes through the gma (400) of lmea and gma (410) of material. Pulsed cut material (11) is passed through the discharge channel (307) against the base of the vines (7). The arrows on the blades (302) indicate the direction of rotation.

The method of operation of the apparatus (100) will be described below with respect to Figures 9-11. It should be appreciated that the apparatus (300) generally works in the same way.

It will also be appreciated that although the following method has been described using the apparatus (100) as described above, this method can also be used with any removal apparatus capable of retaining a line and removing material of the same example, a hook, a chain, or any other system capable of guiding the line and removing material from it.

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The method of the present invention therefore requires only that the wire (1) be detachably attached to the posts (3) and be disassembled and moved up and laterally against the rows of vines (7) before, or as They are being removed.

Figure 9 shows the basic operation of the apparatus (100) that removes gray hair (2) from two wires (1) and ejects material (11) cut in the direction indicated by arrow 6.

Figures 10 and 11 show a row of pruned vines (7), two lifting wires (8) and a fruiting wire (9) having fixed gray hair (2).

In the prior art cane pruning, the fruiting wire (9) is fixed to the posts (3). A new growth of gray hair (2) is guided by the elevation wires (8) that can be periodically lifted throughout the growing season to shape the vines (7) to help harvest, maintain and expose at the light of the sun. The lifting wires (8) are necessarily detachably attached to the posts (3) to allow the lift. However, as there is no requirement for disassembly, the fruiting wire (9) is typically fixed to the posts (3).

The present invention also provides a method of removing gray hair (2) from the wires (8, 9) that extend between two end posts (4) (both shown in Figure 10 only) and which are detachably fixed to one or more intermediate posts (3) of the row of vines (7). The wires (8, 9) are detachably fixed to the posts (3) through line retention devices provided in the form of plastic clips (10) fitted by pressure (as shown more clearly in Figure 19) although other known line retention devices can be used.

The method generally comprises:

- disassemble the fruiting wire (9) detachably fixed wire threads (8) for lifting the snap clips (10) by pressure on the posts (3);

- ensure that the cover (108) is in the open position (see figure 8a);

- maneuvering the apparatus (100) in such a way that the location members (206) can contact the wires (8, 9) and guide them in the channel (201) as the apparatus (100) is elevated;

- raise the boom to which the apparatus (100) is fixed and raise the wires (8, 9) proportionally so that the wires (8, 9) are stretched laterally against and upwards of the posts (3) ;

- move the cover (108) in the closed position (see figure 8b);

- drive the hydraulic motors (111, 112, 113) to rotate the bushing (106), the channel (211) of material and the wheel (214) respectively; Y

- drive the tractor with the device (100) along the rows of vines (7) so that the device (100) moves along the wire (1) to remove and cut the gray hair (2) from it .

The fruiting wire (9) is therefore raised up and to the side of the row of vines (7) so that the apparatus (100) does not contact or potentially damage the vines (7) when it moves along the wires (8, 9).

The lifting wires (8) do not typically have many gray hairs (2) fixed and therefore it is not imperative that the lifting wires (8) also be removed. However, the lifting wires (8) are also elevated using this method since it is more convenient to also remove the lifting wires (8) than leaving the wires (8) in place. Lifting wires (8) if left in place can also prevent the lifting of the fruiting wire (9).

The prior art techniques for removing gray hair (2) from the wires require manual labor, or alternatively a mobile machinery that must be stopped and started to move around the intermediate posts (3). In addition, any vine that has to be retained is vulnerable to damage as the prior art removal machines must move close to the posts and the retained vines when the withdrawal occurs. In contrast, the present invention can alleviate both problems by moving the wires (8, 9) well cleared of the posts and vines (7) before removal. Therefore, the apparatus (100) is able to move continuously along the length of the wire (8, 9), eliminating the cut gray hair (2), while minimizing the risk of damage to the vines ( 7).

Figure 19 shows an example plastic wire retention click (10) as described in Brooke-Taylor's New Zealand Patent No. 234467. The click (10) has 2 arms (13) with pressure adjustment channels (15)

and a central opening (14) to receive a nail that is driven into the brackets (3) to hold the clip in place. During use the wires (1, 8, 9) are located in the channels (15) and therefore are held in place on the post (3).

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions can be enlisted without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (15)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 55 60 65 1. An apparatus (100, 300) for removing irregular material (2) from a line (1, 8, 9) during the relative movement between the device (100, 300) and the line (1, 8, 9), said apparatus (100, 300) that includes: -a gma (200, 400) of the line for positioning the line (1, 8, 9) therein and through which the line (1, 8, 9) can pass during said relative movement; - a gma (210, 410) of material that includes a rotating constriction member (214); - a withdrawal mechanism (101, 301) having at least one mobile removal element (102, 302) with respect to the gma (200, 400) of lmea and lmea (1, 8, 9) said element (102 , 302) of withdrawal that is configured during use to affect the irregular material (2), therefore at least partially removing the material (2) from said line (1, 8, 9), and characterized in that the line (1, 8, 9) can pass through said gma (210, 410) of material, the gma of material configured to move the line vertically and at least partially guide, build, compact and / or reorient said irregular material (2) fixed to the line (1, 8, 9) in engagement with said withdrawal mechanism (101, 301) during said relative movement. 2. An apparatus (100, 300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the constriction member (214) is driven by a motor (113). 3. An apparatus (100, 300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said line gma (200, 400) includes a channel (201, 401) with elongated walls (203, 403) extending between ends ( 204a, 204b or 404a, 404b) distal open. 4. An apparatus (100, 300) as claimed in claim 3, wherein one end of the channel (201, 401) forms a mouth (204a, 404a), the mouth (204a, 404a) having one or more baffles (405) adapted to divert material (2) from the line (1, 8, 9) when it passes through the mouth (204a, 404a). 5. An apparatus (100, 300) as claimed in claim 3 and claim 4, wherein the line gma (200, 400) includes one or more location members (206, 406) extending to the channel (201, 401) and configured to guide the line (1, 8, 9) by affecting the, or each, member (206, 406) of location within the channel (201, 401). An apparatus (100, 300) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gma (210, 410) of material is located opposite the gma (200, 400) of the line with respect to the direction of movement of the relative line through said gma (200, 400) of lmea and is substantially "in line" with the gma (200, 400) of lmea so that the material (2) entering the guide (210, 410) of material is directed towards the gma (200, 400) of lmea and the withdrawal mechanism (101, 301). 7. An apparatus (100, 300) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the gma (210, 410) of material includes a constriction opening (218, 418) configured to build the custom material (2) What happens. An apparatus (100, 300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the gma (210, 410) of material includes a gma channel (211,411) of material and the constriction member (214, 414) move between each other: a) a closed position, in which the constriction member (214, 414) at least partially covers the gma channel (211, 411) of material to form said constriction opening (218, 418), and b) an open position in which the line (1, 8, 9) may be located in the channel (211, 411) of material gma. An apparatus (100, 300) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the gma channel (211, 411) of material is formed as an annular groove that at least partially circumscribes an outer surface of an annular member. 10. An apparatus (100, 300) as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the gma channel (211, 411) of material and the constriction member (214, 414) are counter-rotating. 11. An apparatus (100, 300) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the gma (200, 400) of the line and the removal mechanism (101, 301) are located substantially within at least two side walls of a housing (103, 303). 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 12. An apparatus (100, 300) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the gma (210, 410) of material includes one or more location members (213, 413) configured with two inclined members joined in one intersection coinciding with the gma (200, 400) of lmea. 13. An apparatus (100, 300) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which further includes at least one roller (305) provided in a position coinciding with an end of the gma (200, 400) of the line and rotating around of an axis that extends substantially transverse to the line (1, 8, 9). 14. An apparatus (100, 300) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which further includes a mobile cover (108, 308) between a closed position, to cover at least partially the withdrawal mechanism (101, 301), and an open position, in which the withdrawal mechanism (101, 301) is substantially discovered. 15. A method of removing organic material (2) from a line (1, 8, 9) that extends between two end supports (4) and which is detachably fixed to one or more intermediate supports (3), said method using an apparatus (100, 300) as claimed in any one of claims 1-14 and including the steps of: - disassemble the line (1, 8, 9) of at least one of said intermediate supports (3) and move the line (1, 8, 9) laterally against it; - placing said line (1, 8, 9) in the gma (200, 400) of lmea and the gma (210, 410) of material; Y - move the gma (200, 400) of lmea, the gma (210, 410) of material and the withdrawal mechanism (101, 301) along the line (1, 8, 9) past the, or each, intermediate support (3) to remove the organic material (2) from it.